It Happened In Hollywood

By The Hollywood Reporter

What's It Happened In Hollywood about?

On this podcast, Seth Abramovitch, senior writer at The Hollywood Reporter, takes you behind the scenes of the indelible pop culture moments that shaped Hollywood history — with special guests who were actually there. In a town where everything old is eventually new again, Seth gives listeners a front-row seat to the way things were. Welcome to IT HAPPENED IN HOLLYWOOD!

Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone

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It Happened In Hollywood episodes:

04.30.2024
Karyn Kusama: 'Girlfight'
The visionary director behind ‘Yellowjackets’ and ‘Jennifer’s Body’ joins Seth to revisit the making of her debut, the 2000 Sundance sensation ‘Girlfight.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
04.03.2024
Walter Murch: 'Return to Oz'
The Oscar-winning editor of ‘Apocalypse Now’ stops by to recount writing and directing his dark, brilliant tale of Dorothy Gale’s journey back to Oz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.27.2024
Stockard Channing: 'Six Degrees of Separation'
The Oscar-nominated actress relives the making of the 1993 film about a brilliant young con man played by Will Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.20.2024
Michael Phillips, Tony Bill and David S. Ward: ‘The Sting’
Seth is visited by the screenwriter and producers of the Oscars-sweeping classic that turned cons and Ragtime music into box-office gold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.13.2024
Stephen Frears: 'Dangerous Liaisons'
Sex! Deception! Gossip! It’s all there in the delectable ‘Dangerous Liaisons.’ Director Stephen Frears joins the podcast to relive the making of the classic 1988 film and winner of three Oscars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
03.06.2024
Greg Mottola: 'The Daytrippers'
The ‘Superbad’ director joins the podcast to talk about his first film, ‘The Daytrippers,’ starring Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Parker Posey and Liev Schreiber and made on a $60,000 budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
02.21.2024
Stephan Elliott: 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert'
Join us for a desert holiday as writer-director Stephan Elliott reveals all the secrets of making his 1994 indie comedy smash from Down Under. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
02.14.2024
Ed Zwick: 'The Last Samurai'
The podcast returns for a fifth season with Ed Zwick, writer-director of 2003’s Tom Cruise war epic, THE LAST SAMURAI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
07.06.2023
Jerry Zucker: ‘Airplane!’ and ‘Ghost’
Shirley, we are completely serious. The writer-director stops by for a rare interview about the making of two classics — one, a broad comedy, the other a supernatural romance that made pottery and the afterlife hot. Learn more about your ad...
06.28.2023
Steven Lisberger: ‘TRON’
The visionary writer-director of 1982’s TRON reveals how he brought all those Light Cycles, Solar Sailors and glowing neon circuitry to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
06.21.2023
Richard O’Brien: ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show'
It’s astounding — time is fleeting: It’s 50 years since ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ debuted on a cramped London stage and launched a phenomenon. Composer and star Richard O’Brien joins Seth to retrace every step. Learn more about your ad choices....
06.14.2023
Julie Taymor: 'Across the Universe'
Prepare to be transported to a world of psychedelic wonder as visionary filmmaker Julie Taymor takes us behind the scenes of her 2007 masterpiece 'Across the Universe', revealing the intricate and mind-bending creative process that brought this unforgettable Learn more about...
06.07.2023
Gregg Araki: 'The Doom Generation'
Step into the mind of director Gregg Araki as he takes us on a wild ride through the making of his cult classic film "The Doom Generation", sharing stories about the film's creation and its lasting impact on the world...
05.31.2023
Matthew Broderick: 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'
Get ready to take a nostalgic trip back to the '80s as Seth sits down with the iconic star of 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' to uncover the untold secrets and behind-the-scenes stories of this beloved John Hughes masterpiece that continues...
05.24.2023
Penelope Spheeris: 'Wayne's World'
Seth is joined by the director of 'Waynes World' who shares her experience making her first studio film with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
05.17.2023
Alex Cox: 'Repo Man'
Seth is joined by the writer and director of the 1984 movie 'Repo Man' which stars Harry Dean Stanton and Emilio Estevez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
05.10.2023
Terry Gilliam: 'Brazil'
In the debut episode of season 4, Seth is talking with Terry Gilliam about the making of his 1985 dystopic sci-fi film 'Brazil'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
05.03.2023
Season 4 is Coming on May 10th
It Happened In Hollywood is back for a 4th season and we didn't hold any punches. Watch the classics and listen to the creators talk about how they came to be. This season we will talk with the people that...
12.06.2022
Julian Fellowes: 'Gosford Park'
The creator of 'Downton Abbey' and HBO's 'The Gilded Age' joins Seth to talk about writing 2001’s 'Gosford Park,' which won him an Oscar and jumpstarted his career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11.29.2022
John Sayles: 'The Brother from Another Planet'
The writer and director of the 1984 sci-fi film 'The Brother from Another Planet' joins Seth to talk about the making of the Harlem-based story that follows a mute alien with six toes being chased by Men in Black. Learn more...
11.22.2022
Griffin Dunne: 'After Hours'
Seth is joined by the star of 'After Hours' to talk about the making of Martin Scorsese's ninth film which follows a man just trying to get home from SoHo in the 80s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11.15.2022
Edward Packard: 'Choose Your Own Adventure'
Seth is joined by the mastermind behind the 'Choose Your Own Adventure' book series that has helped influence many different types of TV, film, and games over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11.08.2022
Michael Lehmann: 'Heathers'
The Director of 'Heathers' joins Seth to talk about how the cult classic, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, helped to predict violence in schools and laid the groundwork for movies such as 'Mean Girls.' Learn more about your ad choices....
11.01.2022
Ron Shelton: 'Bull Durham'
Writer-Director Ron Shelton joins Seth to discuss the sports classic 'Bull Durham' which almost didn't get made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.25.2022
Randal Kleiser: 'Grease'
The director of the blockbuster musical 'Grease' joins Seth to reminisce about the late Olivia Newton-John and share stories about the making of an iconic film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.18.2022
Walter Hill: 'The Warriors'
Writer-Director Walter Hill joins Seth to share the making of the 1979 neon-colored classic, 'The Warriors.' Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.11.2022
Susan Seidelman: 'Desperately Seeking Susan'
Director Susan Seidelman recounts the making of one of Madonna's most memorable acting roles in 'Desperately Seeking Susan.' Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10.04.2022
Mike Figgis: 'Leaving Las Vegas'
Mike Figgis joins Seth to retell the process of making the gritty and dark 16mm film that gave Nicolas Cage his Oscar, 'Leaving Las Vegas.' Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean Malone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
09.20.2022
Season 3 Is Coming!
We are back for the third season of 'It Happened In Hollywood'! This season will include many more episodes covering projects from some of Hollywood's iconic past including 'Grease,' 'Heathers,' 'The Warriors,' 'Bull Durham,' 'Leaving Las Vegas,' 'Desperately Seeking Susan,'...
01.11.2021
Introducing 'Must Watch: Netflix Edition'
Each week, Observer senior entertainment reporter Brandon Katz and Hollywood Reporter contributor Jean Bentley highlight the new Netflix titles they're excited about. Recent guests: Daniel Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter, Joanna Robinson from Vanity Fair, and Megan Vick from TV...
03.14.2020
Zach Galifianakis: 'The Hangover'
The brilliant Zach Galifianakis is Seth and Chip’s very special guest for the Season 2 finale, an uproarious hour about his unlikely path to superstardom in the 2009 comedy smash “The Hangover.” Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew...
03.07.2020
Richard Donner: 'Superman'
He’s the man who made the world believe a man can fly. Legendary blockbuster director Richard Donner joins Seth and Chip for a retelling of the making of the seminal super hero flick — 1978’s ‘Superman.’ Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and...
02.29.2020
Jeff Garlin: 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'
This episode isn’t just good — it’s prettay, prettay, prettay good, as the hilarious Jeff Garlin stops by to recount how a lunch with his office neighbor Larry David turned into HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip...
02.22.2020
Dan Gilroy: 'Nightcrawler'
Stalk L.A. like a hungry coyote as writer-director Dan Gilroy tells all about the making of his Oscar-nominated ‘Nightcrawler’ starring Jake Gyllenhaal. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and...
02.15.2020
Andrew Stanton: 'WALL-E'
Hitch a ride to the stars as Pixar co-founder Andrew Stanton reveals the inspirations — binoculars! Amazon boxes! iPhones! — behind his 2008 animated masterpiece WALL-E. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham Theme music composed...
02.08.2020
Nathan Lane: 'The Birdcage'
Comedy giant Nathan Lane details his path to stardom in 1996’s ‘The Birdcage’ — and pulls back the curtain on the difficulties of being a gay man in Hollywood. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua...
02.01.2020
Rae Dawn Chong: 'Commando'
Buckle up: Trailblazing ‘80s screen icon Rae Dawn Chong sits in to share memories of making the 1985 action classic “Commando” with Arnold Schwarzenegger — plus many more! Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and Joshua Farnham Theme...
01.25.2020
Peter Bogdanovich: 'The Last Picture Show'
We stan a legend. Director Peter Bogdanovich stops by to regale the podcast with tales of Hollywood’s second Golden Age and the making of his masterpiece, “The Last Picture Show.” Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst and...
01.18.2020
Harry Hamlin: 'Clash of the Titans' and 'Making Love'
Harry Hamlin recounts his days as Hollywood’s reigning It-boy, starring as Perseus in the campy Greek myth adventure “Clash of the Titans” before risking it all on the gay drama “Making Love.” Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew...
01.11.2020
David Mamet: 'Oleanna'
Playwright, screenwriter and directing giant David Mamet stops by to discuss his prophetic "Oleanna," in a lively discussion that covers sexual politics, acting techniques and the secret behind his staccato dialogue. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst...
01.04.2020
Betty Thomas: 'Private Parts'
From Second City to director of blockbuster comedies, Betty Thomas has had a remarkable career. In the season opener, she recounts directing Howard Stern in the 1997 biopic that made him an unlikely movie star. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip...
12.28.2019
All new season starts on January 4th!
Season 2 of It Happened In Hollywood starts January 4th, 2020. Stay tuned for all new episodes featuring some amazing new guests who share their stories of the iconic projects they worked on. Are guests include Betty Thomas, Peter Bogdanovich,...
05.31.2019
John Cameron Mitchell: 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
In the electric first season finale, Seth and Chip raise a glass to all the misfits and losers — with John Cameron Mitchell, the brilliant writer, director and star of the phenomenal glam-rock musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Learn...
05.03.2019
Tommy Chong: 'Up in Smoke'
The inventor of stoner comedy Tommy Chong stops by to regale us with tales of the origins of Cheech & Chong; the making of their cult-classic first movie; the rift that broke them up; and his nine-month stint in prison....
04.05.2019
Laura Harring: 'Mulholland Drive'
Silencio! Por favor. Take a trip back to the strange, beautiful dreamscape of Mulholland Drive as star Laura Harring stops by to reveal all about the making of David Lynch’s Oscar-nominated film noir from 2001. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip...
03.01.2019
Jaclyn Smith: 'Charlie's Angels'
Jaclyn Smith — the only Charlie’s Angel to have starred in all five seasons of the series — visits the podcast to relive all the big hair, karate chops and ‘70s “mind candy” that made the original show such iconic...
01.29.2019
Thora Birch: ‘American Beauty’
Thora Birch stops by to reminisce about the making of 1999 Academy Award best picture winner AMERICAN BEAUTY — and reconcile her own complicated feelings about it in light of the allegations against co-star Kevin Spacey. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and...
01.03.2019
Tim Blake Nelson: ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?'
Join us for a fascinating peek behind the scenes of the Coen Brothers with Tim Blake Nelson, star of 2000’s O Brother, Where Art Thou? and 2018’s The Ballad of Buster Scruggs — the latest movie from the enigmatic auteurs. Hosted...
12.03.2018
Linda Woolverton: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’
Be our guest as Disney screenwriter Linda Woolverton joins Seth and Chip to reveal all about the making of two modern Disney Animation classics. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst Theme music composed by: Paul Masvidal and Sean...
11.08.2018
Joe Eszterhas — Part 2: 'Showgirls'
Seth and Chip track down bad-boy screenwriter Joe Eszterhas in Ohio for a two-part episode. Part Two talks about his infamous return to the screen with his cult classic 'Showgirls'. Hosted by: Seth Abramovitch and Chip Pope Produced by: Matthew Whitehurst Theme music...

What's It Happened In Hollywood about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

It Happened In Hollywood episodes:

Karyn Kusama: 'Girlfight'

Walter Murch: 'Return to Oz'

Stockard Channing: 'Six Degrees of Separation'

Michael Phillips, Tony Bill and David S. Ward: ‘The Sting’

Stephen Frears: 'Dangerous Liaisons'

Greg Mottola: 'The Daytrippers'

Stephan Elliott: 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert'

Ed Zwick: 'The Last Samurai'

Jerry Zucker: ‘Airplane!’ and ‘Ghost’

Steven Lisberger: ‘TRON’

Richard O’Brien: ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show'

Julie Taymor: 'Across the Universe'

Gregg Araki: 'The Doom Generation'

Matthew Broderick: 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'

Penelope Spheeris: 'Wayne's World'

Alex Cox: 'Repo Man'

Terry Gilliam: 'Brazil'

Season 4 is Coming on May 10th

Julian Fellowes: 'Gosford Park'

John Sayles: 'The Brother from Another Planet'

Griffin Dunne: 'After Hours'

Edward Packard: 'Choose Your Own Adventure'

Michael Lehmann: 'Heathers'

Ron Shelton: 'Bull Durham'

Randal Kleiser: 'Grease'

Walter Hill: 'The Warriors'

Susan Seidelman: 'Desperately Seeking Susan'

Mike Figgis: 'Leaving Las Vegas'

Season 3 Is Coming!

Introducing 'Must Watch: Netflix Edition'

Zach Galifianakis: 'The Hangover'

Richard Donner: 'Superman'

Jeff Garlin: 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'

Dan Gilroy: 'Nightcrawler'

Andrew Stanton: 'WALL-E'

Nathan Lane: 'The Birdcage'

Rae Dawn Chong: 'Commando'

Peter Bogdanovich: 'The Last Picture Show'

Harry Hamlin: 'Clash of the Titans' and 'Making Love'

David Mamet: 'Oleanna'

Betty Thomas: 'Private Parts'

All new season starts on January 4th!

John Cameron Mitchell: 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'

Tommy Chong: 'Up in Smoke'

Laura Harring: 'Mulholland Drive'

Jaclyn Smith: 'Charlie's Angels'

Thora Birch: ‘American Beauty’

Tim Blake Nelson: ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?'

Linda Woolverton: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’

Joe Eszterhas — Part 2: 'Showgirls'